UCT-ONE performs Underwater Pier Inspection utilizing a Clear Water Box

Courtesy Photo | Underwater photo showing image of pile without using the clear water box (left) and using the box (right). (Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Lance Fairchild)  

BLOUNT ISLAND COMMAND, FL, UNITED STATES

12.11.2013

Courtesy Story

Underwater Construction Team ONE

By Petty Officer 1st Class Lance Fairchild
Underwater Construction Team ONE

BLOUNT ISLAND COMMAND, Fla. - Sometimes the easiest solution can provide the greatest amount of clarity. This proved to be the case during a recent Construction Readiness Training (CRT) exercise for Construction Dive Detachment (CDD) BRAVO of Underwater Construction Team ONE. Tasked with the inspection of 109 piles at Blount Island Marine Corps Base, Fla., the project, completed for NAVFAC Southeast, required the CDD to provide a complete physical inspection on 100 percent of the piles.

Conducting these inspections in nearly zero visibility has always been problematic. The reports are often transcribed from verbal details given to surface support by the divers. Although the reports are generally very detailed, the lack of photos or video poses a major problem when delivering the final report. The possibility of producing detailed photos in zero visibility had the dive team searching for solutions. After several failed attempts to produce desirable results, the CDD decided to build what is known as a clear water box.

“A clear water box is used to enable photography in murky water. By providing a path of clear water for the camera to shoot, it allows a diver to take excellent underwater photos,” stated Petty Officer First Class Lance Fairchild. Although sometimes used in the commercial underwater inspection industry, this would be the first time using it for a UCT job.

After contacting a local plastics company, the detachment decided that 3/8” acrylic would be the most effective for construction. The CDD created a device that could securely seal clean water into a confined space and allow the camera to work as normal. “We based our dimensions for the box on the known size of the project piles that we were inspecting,” stated Chief Petty Officer Brian Strantz, CDD BRAVO OIC. “Our final dimensions were 18" x 18" x 18”. Although rather large, this would provide plenty of offset for the camera to focus on the entire width of the pile and see any defects in that area”.

The construction was completed using a simple process involving acrylic sheets, bar clamps and acrylic cement. A 2” PVC Bulkhead fitting with a filler cap was added to provide a port through which clean water could be added. Simple cabinet handles were added to provide the diver with a manner to control the box in the water column. The handles and the bulkhead fitting were secured with added neoprene washers and silicone caulking to ensure a water tight seal. The materials were purchased for under $250 and construction took approximately 12 hours.

The box performed flawlessly and was easily maneuvered by the divers in the water. During the inspection, divers simply moved the box against the pile and placed the camera against the opposite side. No additional lighting was needed as the cameras flash provided enough light for excellent results. The difference between using the box and not using the box is dramatic and provided the customers with excellent details. This simple piece of equipment provided a much needed solution to a common problem experienced during water front facilities inspections.

UCT-ONE provides responsive inshore and ocean underwater construction, inspection, repair and maintenance to ocean facilities for Navy, Marine Corps and joint forces engaged in military operations.

• Date Taken: 12.11.2013
• Date Posted: 01.30.2014 15:42
• Story ID: 119875
• Location: BLOUNT ISLAND COMMAND, FL, US